Serban has a medical doctorate in translational research in cardiac transplantation that has led to improvements in organ preservation (eg donation after cardiac death). In recent years his main interest is in outcomes research and quality improvement. He has been a deputy lead for the UK congenital cardiac audit at the National Institute for Cardiovascular Outcomes Research (NICOR) and is currently congenital audit lead for the Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland. The collaborations with UCL have led to advances in risk stratification, disease profiling, morbidity mapping and advanced analyses of resource utilisation via linked data.

Serban is also an enthusiastic contributor to global health efforts via regular operating visits and transfer of know-how into low and middle income countries. These efforts are now channelled towards a parallel research agenda with international stakeholders.